And Pluck Your Strings

You could be forgiven for dismissing Louisiana band Givers’ debut album as just another 2k-something indie pop effort that imitates and falls well short of the likes of Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit. After all it mostly consists of upbeat songs driven by a combination of electronic elements, handclaps, and glockenspiels, infused with a healthy dose of tropical beats and absurdly catchy hooks. But the real strength of this record and indeed this band is in their ability to rise above their influences and craft a sound all of their own.

Sure ‘In Light’ sounds a bit like Vampire Weekend at times, but it also sounds a bit like Animal Collective, a bit like Local Natives, and a bit like Ra Ra Riot. It’s unmistakably a result of the hyper-diluted indie market of the last five years, but it also transcends its context to become an amazing album all in its own right.